Gluing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus having utility in the application of a coating of glue to the end sheets of an inner book. The apparatus comprises a pair of oppositely driven rollers and means for adjustably varying the spacing between the rollers along a portion of their circumference. The roller which contacts and applies the glue to the books is provided with an axis-parallel groove which receives the hinge joint located adjacent the inner book spine; the recess being shaped so as to descend at a shallow angle in the direction of roller rotation whereby, through the action of a complementary cam on the other roller, glue may be expelled upwardly as the cam and recess engage rather than being entrapped between and thus forcing the rollers apart.

U Umted States Patent 1191 [111 3,919,971

Lubeck Nov. 18, 1975 [5 GLUING APPARATUS 1.404589 1/1922 Dixon et al.ll8/227 [75] Inventor: Hermann Lubeck, Espelkamp, FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS Fmthelm, Germany 300,877 2/1929 Germany 11/1 AD [73]Assignee: August Kolbus, Wesphalia,

Germany Primary ExaminerJohn P. McIntosh [22] Filed: June 26, 1974 [57]ABSTRACT [21 1 Appl' 483425 Apparatus having utility in the applicationof a coating of glue to the end sheets of an inner book. The appa- [30Foreign Application priority Data ratus comprises a pair of oppositelydriven rollers and Mar 7 974 Germany 740795; means for adjustablyvarying the spacing between the rollers along a portion of theircircumference. The rol- [52] us CL 118/259. 1 18/227. 118/262 -ler whichcontacts and applies the glue to the books is [51] Int BOSC U02 providedwith an axis-parallel groove which receives [58] Field of 227 228the-hinge joint located adjacent the inner book spine; 1 10172} M A therecess being shaped so as to descend at a shallow angle in the directionof roller rotation whereby, [56] References Cited through the action ofa complementary cam on the other roller, glue may be expelled upwardlyas the UNITED STATES PATENTS cam and recess engage rather than beingentrapped 484,966 10/I892 Karfzol l0l/23 between and thus forcing therollers apart 680533 8/1901 Marwier et al. 101/23 805.699 ll/l905 Avril101/23 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 GLUINGAPPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thepresent invention relates to book binding. More specifically, thisinvention is directed to apparatus for use in the gluing of a casing tothe end sheets of a book. Accordingly, the general objects of thepresent invention are to provide novel and improved methods andapparatus of such character.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the manufacture of a hard-cover booka plurality of signatures are arranged to define the inner book, theinner book is pressed to form hinge joints therein and the boards of acover or casing are thereafter glued to the end sheets of the innerbook. In the pressing or forming operation the inner book is given ashape commensurate with the type of casing to be employed. This shapeis, in part, determined by a hinge joint produced in the spine zone ofthe inner book; such joints being either deep joints" having a rightangle or oblique joints defining an angle of greater than 90.

It is necessary that, in the final book, there be a bond of adequatestrength between the book casing and the end sheets in the vicinity ofthe hinge joints. Thus, during the step of application of glue to thefaces of the end sheets of the inner book, a sufficient coating of gluemust be applied to the surfaces of the hinge joints produced by thepressing or forming operation.

Gluing apparatus for machines which apply book casings to inner booksare known in the art. These prior art gluing devices typically comprisea pair of gluing systems which are arranged so as to be situated ateither side of a moving inner book. The gluing systems of the prior artwill usually each comprise a glue-scooping or drawing roller, which dipsinto a glue reservoir, and a cooperating glue applying roller whichcontacts a face ofa moving inner book to apply a coating of glue to thebook end sheet.

As noted above, it is necessary that the glue also be applied to thesurfaces of the hinge joint which constitutes an indentation in the faceof the book presented to the glue-applying roller. Accordingly, glueapplying rollers of prior art gluing systems have been provided with anaxis-parallel round recess designed to receive the joint edge of theupward-moving inner book. The leading edge or portion of such anaxis-parallel recess will in theory apply glue in the hinge joint areaor zone. In order to insure application of glue to the recessed portionon the applying roller, the scooping or drawing roller will be providedwith a raised or cam portion complimentary in shape to the recess in theapplying roller.

Control of the thickness of the coating of glue applied to the endsheets of the book has conventionally been accomplished by varying thespacing between the drawing and applying rollers and also by use of ascraper which cooperates with the drawing roller.

Inner books are often provided with a fabric material flap, known in theart as gauze, which protrudes beyond the spine toward the two sides. Insuch cases it is necessary to apply to the end sheets, in those areasdefined by the overlapping gauze, a thicker coating of glue than will beapplied to the other portions of the end sheets. The additionalthickness of glue, of course, permits penetration thereof through thegauze to insure a high-strength bond between the end sheets, gauze andbook casing. In order to achieve this requisite variation in gluecoating thickness, the glue applying roller has previously been providedwith a depression oriented in front of the axis-parallel recess in thedirection of roller movement; the depressed area accepting more gluefrom the drawing roller and applying or transferring the glue to theface of the inner book.

The prior art gluing systems and devices, as briefly described above,have been characterized by a number of deficiencies and disadvantages.For example, since the gluing roller always feeds a larger quantity ofglue then required to the applying roller, a projecting bulge of glue isformed in the V-shaped space between and above the region of contactbetween the rollers. Since the drawing and applying rollers rotate inthe opposite direction, this charge of excess glue can escape in theupward direction only when the recessed and raised portions of thecooperating rollers are beginning to engage. The glue thus has atendency to become trapped between the rollers in the vicinity of thehinge joint recess. This results in irregular operation of the gluingsystem and uncontrolled application of glue. The uncontrolledapplication of glue results from the fact that, when the trapped excessglue forces the rollers apart, some of the glue escapes downwardly andis carried on the glueapplying roller. Additionally, the downward escapeof the glue is often accompanied by a throwing or splattering of theexcess glue with the resultant contamination of machine parts and alsoof the inner books themselves.

A further disadvantage of prior art gluing devices is that the scrapersused to define the thickness of the coating of glue applied areincapable of regulating the glue coating as required in all areas of adrawing roller which, as discussed above, may have both recessed andprojecting portions corresponding to the axis-parallel recess, gauzedefined region and normal end sheet regions of the applying roller.

It may also be noted that, while previous glue-applying devices have thecapability of applying a thicker coat of glue in lateral gauze areas,this desirable result may be achieved only through installation of aseparate applying roller corresponding to each different gauzeprojection dimension.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the abovediscussed and other deficiencies and disadvantages of the prior art byproviding a reliable and uncomplicated device for application of acoating of glue to the end sheets of an inner book. In accordance withthe present invention a glue applying roller is provided with a recess,which corresponds to the inner book hinge joint, which ascends at asmall angle toward the periphery of the glue applying roller in thedirection of rotation of the applying roller. This recess cooperateswith a raised or cam portion on a drawing roller; the drawing roller camportion having a configuration which may be described as descending at asmall angle toward the periphery of the drawing roller. This uniquedesign of the cooperating recess and cam portions, respectively on theapplying and drawing rollers, permits the .excess glue which accumulatesin the V-shaped area above and between the two rollers to escape in anupwarddirection when the cam enters the recess. Accordingly, the rollersare not forced apart by glu'e entrapped in the recess and the problemsof irregular operation, nonuniform glue application and splatteringwhich have 3 plagued the prior art are eliminated.

Apparatus in accordance with the present invention may also becharacterized by adjusting means for effecting a variation of thedistance between the glue applying and drawing or dosing rollers along apreselected portion of the peripheral surfaces of the rollers. Thisadjusting means comprises in part cam discs attached to the ends of theglue-applying roller. The cam discs are provided with cam portions whichprotrude beyond the roller periphery and which correspond to thethickness and length of the area in which a coating of glue of increasedthickness is to be applied. The cam discs are positioned such that, inthe sense of rotation, the protruding cam portions are positionedimmediately rearwardly of the recess which corresponds to the inner bookhinge joint. The adjusting means further comprises control discsattached to the ends of the dosing roller and havingmajor surfaces whichare flush 'with the outer diameter of the dosing roll. The control discsare provided with recesses which receive and cooperate with the camportions of the discs attached to the glue-applying roller. The positionof the control disc recesses with respect to the cam projections on thediscs attached to the glue-applying roller may be adjusted by turningthe control discs on .their shafts. Proper operation of the adjustingmeans of the present invention is insured by mounting the dosing rollerfor radial displacement and resiliently loading the dosing roller towardthe glue-applying roller to a position commensurate with a normalthickness glue application.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the glue-applying rollerwill receive a glue quantity commensurate to a high degree of accuracywith the desired application pattern even in the case of high speeds of.rotation. The present invention also insures that the glue quantitywill be transferred to the faces and the hinge joint area of the innerbook. The throwing-away or splattering of excess glue is completelyeliminated by apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Also,by employment of a particularly advantageous configuration of therecesses of the glue-applying roller, the associated glue scrapers canbe adapted with high accuracy to the contours of the roller. Further,employing the present invention it is possible to accurately apply athicker coat of glue in a gauze area" and to adjust the dimensions ofapplication of this thicker coating in a manner which does not requirethe disassembly of the gluing device and the replacement of a roller orrollers of the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention may be betterunderstood and its numerous objects and advantages will become apparentto those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawingwherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in the severalfigures and in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic side elevation view, taken alongline A-B of FIG. 2, depicting two gluing systems of a gluing device withthe systems being shown in different operational phases;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the gluing system of FIG. 1 which islocated to the left of the inner book transport; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view,-taken along line C D of FIG. 2,depicting the control discs ofa preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now to thedrawing, and particularly FIG. 1, a glue-applying device for apparatusused in the attachment of casings to inner books is depicted. The glueapplying device comprises a pair of gluing units or systems which aremirror images of one another. In the description below only the gluingunit located on the left of the transport mechanism for the inner book 1will be described. However, the unique design of the glue applyingroller hinge joint receiving and gluing recess and cooperating gluedosing roller cam portion of the present invention will be apparent froma consideration of both gluing units. The gluing units have thus beendepicted in an out-of-phase relationship, which they would in practicenot assume, with the left hand unit shown as applying glue to an innerbook hinge joint and the right hand unit shown in the position where thehinge joint recess 2a in the applying roller 2 is engaged by a cam 3a onthe dosing roller 3.

Continuing with a description of FIG. 1, each gluing unit essentiallycomprises a glue-applying roller 2 and a dosing or regulating roller 3.The axes of the rollers are arranged in a horizontal plane and can beadjusted relative to one another, by means not shown, in this plane inthe interest of regulating the thickness of the coating of glue to beapplied to the end sheets of inner book 1. A glue feeding system,indicated schematically at 4, insures that the quantity of glue 5 in theV-shaped area between the above rollers 2 and 3 will be maintained at aproper level. As indicated by the arrows applied internally of rollers 2and 3, the sense or rotation of the rollers is opposite to one another.

In order to obtain application of glue to the hinge joints of the innerbooks 1, the glue-applying roller 2 is provided with a recess 2a whichis adapted to receive the joint of the inner book as it moves upwardlyon a transport mechanism. For proper interaction of the applying anddosing rollers, the dosing roller 3 is provided with a raised or camportion 3a which has a shape complementary to that of the recess 2a ofthe glue-applying roller 2. During rotation the glue-applying roller 2picks up a quantity of glue from the glue bulge 5 and transfers aportion of the said quantity to inner book 1 while the closing I roller3 returns excess glue to the bulge. I

, In order to permit an essentially unimpeded escape of the glue in anupward direction when the cam 30 enters the recess 2a, the jointreceiving recess ascens, from its maximum depth, toward the periphery ofthe roller at a small angle in the direction of rotation. Thecooperating cam portion 3a on the dosing roller similarly descends, fromits maximum height, at a small angle toward the periphery of roller 3.Accordingly, as the recess and projectionrespectively on rollers 2 and 3engage, the glue will be afforded an upward escape path as may clearlybe seen from the right hand gluing unit of FIG. 1. Thus, glue will notbecome entrapped in the recess and the undesired forcing apart of therollers which characterized the prior art is eliminated.

The apparatus of the present invention is also provided with a draintray 6 positioned below the rollers 2 and 3 for collecting any gluewhich drops off of the rollers. The apparatus is additionally providedwith a glue scraper, shown schematically at 6a, which assists incontrolling the quantity of glue delivered to the inner book I.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it is to be noted that rollers 2 and 3 aremounted for rotation on a frame 9 and are drivingly interconnected bymeans of gears 7 and 8 keyed onto the drive shafts of the rollers.

The two gluing units and the conveyor or transport system of the casingapplying machine, the transport system being in the form of a wing typeconveyor which has not been shown in the drawing, have a common driveand are synchronized such that the recess 2a in the surface of the glueapplying roller 2 will receive the hinge joint of each inner book; theinner books moving upwardly as indicated by the directional arrow inFIG. 1. The roller2 will roll over the end sheet ofinner book 1 therebyapplying glue to the continuously moving face of the inner book. Asnoted, as a result of the drive synchronization, the recesses 2a arealways in position to receive the hinge joint zones of the upward-movinginner books.

The partial application of a coating of glue of increased thickness inthe case of inner books which are to be gauzed is achieved by varyingthe distance, indicated in FIG. 3 as a, to thereby vary the distancebetween the glue-applying roller 2 and the dosing roller 3. Thisdistance variation is obtained by displacing the dosing roller 3 in theradial direction against the force of compression springs such as spring13 of FIG. 2.

As may be seen from joint consideration of FIGS. 2 and 3, cam discs 10are attached to the opposite ends of roller 2. Cam discs 10 are providedwith cam portions 10a corresponding to the maximum length and thicknessof the areas in which increased glue application commensurate with agauze projection is to be applied. The cam discs 10 are oriented so thatthe cam projections 10a are positioned immediately rearwardly of thehinge joint recess in the roller in the direction of rotation.

The dosing roller 3 is also provided, at its oppositely disposed ends,with control discs 11. The control discs 11 are provided with recesses11a which receive the cam projections 10a on the cam discs attached tothe glue-applying roller. With the exception of the areas of therecesses and cam projections, the discs 10 and 11 have a diameter equalto that of their associated rollers 2 and 3. The control discs 11 arerotatably adjustable with respect to the drive shafts for roller 3. Thecam projections 10a on discs 10 may be readjusted relative to recesses11a in the interest of varying the length of the zone of increased orthicker glue application commensurate with a gauze zone by rotatablyadjusting the control discs 11 on the drive shaft for roller 3. As willbe obvious, the maximum length region for increased glue applicationwill be commensurate with the orientation of discs 10 and 11 where camprojection 10a does not engage the recess 11a. Conversely, if noincreased glue application is required, discs 11 will be adjusted to theposition where the cam projections 10 a engage the control disc recesseslla over their entire length so that no variation of the distance or gapbetween the rollers, against the action of compression springs 13, willbe produced. After each adjustment the discs 11 are locked in positionon their shafts by means of lock nuts 12.

While a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, variousmodifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it would be possibleto deliver the glue to be applied to the glue-applying roller by meansof a scooping or drawing roller which is partially immersed=in a gluereservoir; such scooping or drawing roller being formed with a recesscorresponding to the hinge joint receiving recess in the glue-applyingroller. Thus, it is to be understood that the present invention has beendescribed by way of illustration and not limitation.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for applying an adhesive to the outer leaf of an inner bookcomprising:

an adhesive applying roller, said applying roller contacting an outerleaf of an inner book to be coated for transferring adhesive thereto,said applying roller being characterized by an axis-parallel recess onthe roller surface which corresponds to a hinge surface portion on thebook to be ocated, said recess flaring to the normal surface of theapplying roller at a shallow angle in the direction of rotation of theapplying roller;

a dosing roller, said dosing roller contacting the surface of saidapplying roller, said dosing roller being characterized by anirregularity on the roller surface, said irregularity onsaid dosingroller surface being complimentary in shape to said recess on theapplying roller surface, said applying and dosing rollers defining aV-shaped space above the point of minimum spacing therebetween; I

means for rotating said applying and dosing rollers in synchronism andin the opposite direction; and

means for delivering the adhesive to be applied to the book to thesurface of said dosing roller, the adhesive accumulating in saidV-shaped space and being able to escape from between the cooperatingsurface recess and irregularity in the upward direction as a result ofthe configuration of said cooperating recess and irregularity.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said dosing roller surfaceirregularity comprises: an axis-parallel cam projection which engagessaid applying roller axis-parallel recess.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: means for effecting avariation of the distance between said applying and dosing rollers overpreselected portions of the peripheral surfaces of said rollers. 4. Theapparatus of claim 3 wherein said distance variation effecting meanscomprises: 7

control disc means mounted from at least a first end of one of saidrollers, said control disc means being rotatably adjustable with respectto said one roller and including a peripheral irregularity correspondingto the maximum length of the roller surface are over which a spacingvariation may be desired; cam disc means affixed to at least a first endof the other of said rollers, said cam disc means having a peripheralsurface portion complimentary to the peripheral surface irregularity ofsaid control disc, said peripheral portions of said control and camdiscs being in contact with one another; and means resiliently loadingsaid dosing roller toward 1 said applying roller. 5. The apparatus ofclaim 4 further comprising: second rotatably adjustable control discmeans, said second control disc means being mounted adjacent to theopposite end of said one of said rollers from said first control discmeans, said control disc means each including a control disc having aradius commensurate with the radius of said one of said rollers at allportions except that commensurate 7 8 with said peripheral surfaceirregularity. face, said irregularity on said dosing roller surface 6.The apparatus of claim wherein said cam disc being complementary inshape to said irregularity means comprises:

fixed position discs attached to the opposite ends of said other of saidrollers, said fixed position discs 5 having a radius commensurate withthe radius of said other of said rollers at all portions of theircircumference except in the region corresponding to said surfaceirregularity, said surface irregularity of said fixed position disccomprising a cam projec- 10 tion.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said fixed position cam discs aremounted on said applying roller with said cam projections positionedimmediately behind said applying roller axis-parallel recess in thedirection on the applying roller surface, said applying and dosingrollers defining a V-shaped space above the point of minimum spacingtherebetween; v means for rotating said applying and dosing rollers insynchronism and in the opposite direction;

means for delivering glue to the surface of said dosing roller;

control disc means mounted from at least a first end of one of saidrollers, said control disc means being rotatably adjustable andincluding a peripheral irregularity corresponding to the maximum lengthof the roller surface are over which an axial spacing of roller rotationvariation between said applying and closing rollers 8. Apparatus forapplying glue to an end sheet of a may be deslred; moving inner bookcomprising; cam dlSC means affixed to at least a first end of the a glueapplying roller, said applying roller contacting other of said rollers,said cam (1180 means having a a surface of objects to be coated fortransferring P ip Surface P f p l 'y to fluid thereto, said applyingroller being character- Peripheral Surface "f y 531d control d156, izedby an irregularity onthe roller surface which Said Peripheral P f 531dcontrol and cam corresponds to the inn b k hi j i discs being in contactwith one another; and a dosing roller, said dosing roller contacting thesurmeans resiliently loading said dosing roller toward face of saidapplying roller, said dosing roller being said applying roller. Icharacterized by an irregularity on the roller sur-

1. Apparatus for applying an adhesive to the outer leaf of an inner bookcomprising: an adhesive applying roller, said applying roller contactingan outer leaf of an inner book to be coated for transferring adhesivethereto, said applying roller being characterized by an axis-parallelrecess on the roller surface which corresponds to a hinge surfaceportion on the book to be ocated, said recess flaring to the normalsurface of the applying roller at a shallow angle in the direction ofrotation of the applying roller; a dosing roller, said dosing rollercontacting the surface of said applying roller, said dosing roller beingcharacterized by an irregularity on the roller surface, saidirregularity on said dosing roller surface being complimentary in shapeto said recess on the applying roller surFace, said applying and dosingrollers defining a V-shaped space above the point of minimum spacingtherebetween; means for rotating said applying and dosing rollers insynchronism and in the opposite direction; and means for delivering theadhesive to be applied to the book to the surface of said dosing roller,the adhesive accumulating in said V-shaped space and being able toescape from between the cooperating surface recess and irregularity inthe upward direction as a result of the configuration of saidcooperating recess and irregularity.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid dosing roller surface irregularity comprises: an axis-parallel camprojection which engages said applying roller axis-parallel recess. 3.The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: means for effecting avariation of the distance between said applying and dosing rollers overpreselected portions of the peripheral surfaces of said rollers.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3 wherein said distance variation effecting meanscomprises: control disc means mounted from at least a first end of oneof said rollers, said control disc means being rotatably adjustable withrespect to said one roller and including a peripheral irregularitycorresponding to the maximum length of the roller surface arc over whicha spacing variation may be desired; cam disc means affixed to at least afirst end of the other of said rollers, said cam disc means having aperipheral surface portion complimentary to the peripheral surfaceirregularity of said control disc, said peripheral portions of saidcontrol and cam discs being in contact with one another; and meansresiliently loading said dosing roller toward said applying roller. 5.The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising: second rotatably adjustablecontrol disc means, said second control disc means being mountedadjacent to the opposite end of said one of said rollers from said firstcontrol disc means, said control disc means each including a controldisc having a radius commensurate with the radius of said one of saidrollers at all portions except that commensurate with said peripheralsurface irregularity.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said cam discmeans comprises: fixed position discs attached to the opposite ends ofsaid other of said rollers, said fixed position discs having a radiuscommensurate with the radius of said other of said rollers at allportions of their circumference except in the region corresponding tosaid surface irregularity, said surface irregularity of said fixedposition disc comprising a cam projection.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6wherein said fixed position cam discs are mounted on said applyingroller with said cam projections positioned immediately behind saidapplying roller axis-parallel recess in the direction of rollerrotation.
 8. Apparatus for applying glue to an end sheet of a movinginner book comprising: a glue applying roller, said applying rollercontacting a surface of objects to be coated for transferring fluidthereto, said applying roller being characterized by an irregularity onthe roller surface which corresponds to the inner book hinge joint; adosing roller, said dosing roller contacting the surface of saidapplying roller, said dosing roller being characterized by anirregularity on the roller surface, said irregularity on said dosingroller surface being complementary in shape to said irregularity on theapplying roller surface, said applying and dosing rollers defining aV-shaped space above the point of minimum spacing therebetween; meansfor rotating said applying and dosing rollers in synchronism and in theopposite direction; means for delivering glue to the surface of saiddosing roller; control disc means mounted from at least a first end ofone of said rollers, said control disc means being rotatably adjustableand including a peripheral irregularity corresponding to the maximumlength of the roller Surface arc over which an axial spacing variationbetween said applying and dosing rollers may be desired; cam disc meansaffixed to at least a first end of the other of said rollers, said camdisc means having a peripheral surface portion complementary to theperipheral surface irregularity of said control disc, said peripheralportions of said control and cam discs being in contact with oneanother; and means resiliently loading said dosing roller toward saidapplying roller.